It’d be an understatement to say 2006 was a big year for local restaurateur Guy Fieri, the owner (with partner Steve Gruber) of Johnny Garlic’s in Windsor and Tex Wasabi’s and Russell Ramsay’s Chop House in Santa Rosa. It all began in December 2005 when Fieri became a contestant on Food Network’s reality show competition “Who Will Be the Next Food Network Star?”; episodes aired in March 2006 and culminated in Fieri taking the crown. The prize was his own cooking show on the national network, “Guy’s Big Bite,” which debuted in June.
On New Year’s Eve 2005, the Fieri family (Guy, his wife Lori and 9-year-old son Hunter) welcomed baby Ryder. In August, Fieri was named Business Person of the Year by the Windsor Chamber of Commerce. Whew!
Moving forward, “Guy’s Big Bite” has been renewed, a pilot for a second show, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” aired in November, a second Tex Wasabi’s should open soon in Sacramento and a cookbook is in the works. On the family front, Hunter has a busy sports season ahead, Ryder is almost walking and Lori continues to hold it all together. “This should be another interesting year,” says Guy, before making this heartfelt plea: “Please give a big thanks to all the great people of Northern California. I’m living my dream thanks to their support.”
Describe the worst thing you ever had to wear to school.
Someone once knitted me a sweater. It had a cat on it, I think. I’m still scared of sweaters.
Do you believe in destiny? Why or why not?
Yes, there is a higher power. It’s too deep to explain, but all things are meant to happen.
Do you squeeze the toothpaste tube or roll it? What’s the advantage to your method?
Squeezing from the end is efficient; there’s no waste, and it’s a team play. If you go to the middle, someone else has to go to the end for you.
Have you kept any mementos from childhood?
Probably my cowboy hat—I used to ride and show horses—but I have all kinds of stuff. I had a great childhood, and I like to keep things around that remind me of it.
How have your priorities changed over time?
They haven’t changed: family, fun, friends, living a full life, eating killer food, laughing a lot. They’re all the same, given to me by my parents.
If you could look into the future to find out one thing, what would you want to know?
I’d want to know what I can do today to make my sons’ futures more secure.
Is it better to love or be loved?
It’s better to love. It’s better to give than receive.
What cartoon character are you most like and why?
The Tasmanian Devil…his good side, of course.
What do you consider the most important event in the history of the human race?
The end of any war.
What do you think heaven is like?
I think it’s where it all comes together—life’s lessons and feelings of love, happiness and understanding.
What lesson did you have to learn the hard way?
That love takes hard work and commitment.
What sort of dances did you do as a teenager?
Break dancing but I wasn’t very good at it. I also took ballroom. Wow, that’s way harder than ol’ Fred made it look.
What subject didn’t you pay attention to in school that you now wish you had?
Spelling. I was good at it but not great. Now spell check is such a crutch!
What was your first car?
It was a Datsun 280z, a totally sweet ride, but I stacked it into a telephone pole.
What’s something valuable you accidentally broke? Describe the situation.
My leg, my arm, a couple ribs, my nose, a finger or two…. Ouch! My parents thought they were valuable (ha ha!).
What’s the secret to a happy marriage?
Understanding and commitment.
What do you find yourself singing?
AC/DC’s “Back in Black.”
Window or aisle seating?
As soon as I get in a car or on a plane, I’m out cold. It’s great for flying to New York all the time.
What’s the best prank someone pulled on you?
For my 30th birthday, Lori surprised me with a bus full of all my best friends. I’m still blown away.
What’s your favorite question to ask?
“What’s your favorite food and why?”
